Toys for Tots Collection Site Moves from Little League Museum Next Door to Administration Building

Toys for Tots Collection Site Moves from Little League Museum Next Door to Administration Building

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
November 20, 2012

The Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum may be closed, but the need for children in the community to have a good Christmas has not been forgotten by Little League Baseball and Softball.

The 2012 Marine Corps League Toys for Tots campaign donation site was moved from the museum next door to the lobby of the Little League Administration Building, 539 Route 15 Highway. The museum has participated as a collection site since 2006.

The mission of the program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community.

The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to youngsters that can motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

This is another challenging year for asking businesses, organizations, churches and the public to support the Toys for Tots campaign, William Dougherty, Williamsport Detachment Marine Corps League’s Toys for Tots coordinator, said. The program locally benefits children up to age 12.

“It is people like you, who help people like us make Christmas a bit brighter for many tots in families throughout Lycoming County,” he said, adding that the organizations that collect, sort and package the toys for distribution and donors are greatly appreciated.

Toys collected in South Williamsport, Williamsport, Loyalsock Township, Cogan Station, Trout Run and Linden are distributed by the Salvation Army and the American Rescue Workers. Toys also are being distributed by the Love Center in Jersey Shore and The Veterans of Vietnam War in Hughesville, Muncy, Montgomery, Montoursville and Picture Rocks.

Tax-deductible checks or money orders should be made payable to Toys for Tots, Mr. Dougherty said. “All toys and monies collected locally stay local,” he said.

Toys for Tots do not publish an appropriate list of toys to donate. Instead it suggests donors give what they would consider an appropriate gift for their own child or relative. Realistic looking weapons and gifts with food are not distributed, however.

Toys may be requested for children by their parents or another person by contacting Mr. Dougherty at (570) 435-2263 or online at rosdoc@aol.com. In addition to the child’s information, the person making the request is asked to provide a mailing address and phone number.

The final day for pick up at Little League is Wednesday, Dec. 19. The Administration Building is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Thanksgiving Day and Nov. 23.